Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Thursday that there would be “consequences” if Venezuela resorted to forceful actions regarding its claims to resource-rich territories controlled by Guyana. This announcement was made during a news conference in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana.
Mr. Rubio emphasized that the U.S. government would firmly oppose “regional threats based on illegitimate territorial claims by a narco-trafficking regime.” He highlighted the importance of U.S.-Guyana partnership in addressing potential aggressive actions from Venezuela.
Venezuela has recently intensified its claims to the Essequibo region, which constitutes about two-thirds of Guyana and includes offshore waters where ExxonMobil is leading oil production efforts. While Mr. Rubio did not specify the actions the Trump administration might take against Venezuela, he alluded to the capabilities of the U.S. Navy, suggesting the possibility of military intervention.
Prior to the news conference, Mr. Rubio and Guyana’s foreign minister, Hugh Todd, signed a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation. Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali expressed his appreciation for U.S. assurances regarding the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
On March 1, President Ali condemned what he described as an illegal incursion by a Venezuelan naval vessel into waters near Exxon’s extraction operations, stating that threats to territorial integrity would not be tolerated.
The U.S. State Department reiterated its support for Guyana and cautioned Venezuela against further provocations through a social media post. In response, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy RodrÃguez accused Mr. Ali of spreading falsehoods and claimed that Exxon’s operations were illegal.
Exxon discovered significant oil reserves in the Essequibo region in 2015, which is also rich in gold, bauxite, diamonds, uranium, and other minerals. On Monday, President Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on any country purchasing oil from Venezuela.
Mr. Rubio’s visit to Guyana was part of a three-nation tour of the Caribbean and South America, which also included meetings in Jamaica and Suriname. Both Guyana and Suriname are recognized for their oil resources, and U.S. officials have emphasized the importance of energy security in the region.
In January, President Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change, a move he had previously made during his first term. The U.S. re-entered the agreement under President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
On the eve of Mr. Rubio’s trip, the Trump administration’s special envoy for Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone, noted that Guyana was on the brink of becoming the largest per capita oil producer globally, surpassing Qatar and Kuwait. He underscored the significance of Guyana’s security in light of threats from Venezuela.
The U.S. government has historically maintained a hostile stance toward President Nicolás Maduro’s administration in Venezuela, imposing broad sanctions and supporting opposition leader Juan Guaidó in his efforts to unseat Maduro.
Following a disputed presidential election last year, which many believe was fraudulent, Mr. Biden recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the legitimate winner. When questioned about potential U.S. responses to a Venezuelan military strike on Guyana or ExxonMobil, Mr. Rubio warned that it would be a “very bad day” for the Venezuelan regime.
After the news conference, Mr. Rubio arrived in Paramaribo, Suriname, where he met with President Chan Santokhi to discuss cooperation in Suriname’s growing energy sector. Mr. Santokhi remarked that economic partnerships among Guyana, Suriname, and the United States could play a crucial role in the region.